Urinary and Fecal Incontinence

[SKCW]

I just wanted to say, as a care provider, that this topic should be more discussed as an issue with PD. We have two neurologists, one who is really renowned as a PD specialist in the area, but discuss this topic with them and they get kind of quiet and say that's not really their domain. But when you read articles like this one: bladderandbowel.org/associa... it clearly indicates that it IS a part of PD. Why don't more people talk about this or am I just not looking in the right places. The coordination of messaging between the brain and muscles is the thing, right? So both the urinary and bowel systems have muscles and sphincter muscles that need messaging from the brain, hence PD problem. If anyone has any tips with how to help my loved one in this area, I'd greatly appreciate it. It's demoralizing and wish I could just fix it.

[FMundo]

According to a Michael J. Fox podcast several years ago "urinary problems" effect 43% of people with Stage 1 Parkinsons.... 90% of those at stage 4 and 5. So you are on track with your suggestion that these subjects should be talked about more here.

There was an report on a study published last February that might be of interest as it points to a solution. Title was:

Clinical study of the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on urinary dysfunctions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Briefly . . .

Results: Symptoms of urinary dysfunctions, such as urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence, in the patients with PD were notably relieved by DBS treatment (P<0.05), and the OAB-SS and bladder storage problems were greatly improved as well (P<0.05). Compared with those in male patients, DBS surgery significantly improved the AUA-SI, urinary symptom scores, and QOL in female PD patients (P<0.05), as well as other functional indicators related to the urinary tract, including the maximum urinary flow rate, detrusor pressure at peak flow, and residual urine volume in female PD patients (P<0.05).

Conclusion: DBS surgery is effective in improving urinary functions in PD patients, as primarily reflected by the alleviation of urinary symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence. Female PD patients displayed better urinary function outcomes from DBS treatment than did male patients.

If you are interested in seeing the whole study, email me [e-mail] and I'll email you the entire report

[ddmagee1 in reply to FMundo]

Thank you FMundo! I really appreciate your input! Presently, I participate in The Michael J. Fox, Insight/research program. Every month, I give them reports, concerning my PD status. I will e-mail you! Thanks again, Doug

[SKCW in reply to FMundo]

Thank you for this information. Hopefully that will be good for the future. My mom is 82, though, and fear that her age might make her ineligible for that kind of surgery.

[ddmagee1]

Yes, this is a problem for me, because of PD progression! I asked my neurologist what he would recommend for me, to help myself. I couldn’t believe his answer. He said that he doesn’t address that issue, and that I needed to ask my General Practitioner for advice and help with urinary and fecal incontinence. It has really become a problem for me. Just recently, I ended up soiling myself, a little, as I walked into an appointment, and, there was nothing I could do about it! That’s why I turned to the Dr./ Neurologist and asked for help. Usually, my Neurologist is very helpful, but not this time! My General Practitioner prescribed medicine to help me. I agree with you, this practical problem needs to be addressed and help is needed, for patients, and caregivers alike. Thanks for sharing!

[gwendolinej in reply to ddmagee1]

My husband developed a bladder problem, probably about 3/4years after diagnosis. We went to a urologist, who was trying to get to the bottom of it. At the time my husband was taking Florinef for low blood pressure. Suddenly his blood pressure started going up and he went off the Florinef and on to medication to bring his blood press down. His bladder problem went away. It is so hard to know what’s causing what with this disease. Anyway I tell our story in case it helps.

[sharoncrayn]

SKCW:

If you are really interested, I can give you some practical solutions which is best utilized when he goes to bed for the night. My background as a cancer drug biochemist has given me quite a bit of experience in dealing with male incontinence due to radiation and surgery on the prostate cancer.

Your board certified urologist who specializes in male prostate issues can (should be able) also provide you with some advice. Find a specialist, not a GP urologist.

IMO, from my experience, PC rad/surgical patients cannot "fix it"; they can deal with it. I assume the same goes for PD. If you understand the difference, it will probably help you and husband move forward.

Let me know directly by messaging me.

Sharon

[hindle1245]

I’m glad to see someone talking about the DBS device , I had mine installed 2 years ago and it’s a miracle, I mean it does have its imperfections but all in all It’s great. Thanks for letting me ramble on. Pete